SALISBURY, MD. (Monday, Oct. 23, 2017) — Representatives from Perdue Foods and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank gathered at the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction on Thursday, Oct. 19 for the announcement of the 2017 Farm Fresh Fund’s matching grant campaign. The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, will match dollar for dollar the first $25,000 raised.

The Farm Fresh Fund enables the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to support local farmers and distribute greater quantities and varieties of fresh produce — a benefit for hungry neighbors in need. Providing more fresh produce is also beneficial for clients who struggle with chronic, food-related illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension.

“We are grateful for Perdue’s actions to ensure that the food bank can and will provide nutritious, life-sustaining produce for our patrons in need,” said Michael McKee, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. “We want our neighbors in need to thrive, and diets rich in nutrients from fresh foods can help them reach their full potential.”

“We understand that being a community partner means doing our part to take care of those in need — and that includes our 17-year partnership with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to help those in the region struggling with hunger,” said Kenny Lambert, director of operations at Perdue’s Bridgewater plant. “The Farm Fresh Fund will connect Virginia’s farmers with hunger-relief efforts in their communities, bringing fresh Virginia produce to local families.”

Perdue and the Food Bank have a long-standing partnership in the fight against hunger. Since 2000, Perdue has donated 2.2 million pounds of food to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank or the equivalent of 1.8 million meals.

Supporters can donate to the Farm Fresh Fund by visiting www.brafb.org/give-now/. Learn more about the Farm Fresh Fund at https://www.brafb.org/give/give-food/farm-fresh/.

About the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture^®.

About Perdue Farms
We’re a third-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.
We focus on continuously improving everything we do, constantly learning, and sharing those insights across different production methods. That innovative approach is driving change throughout the company and onto farms. This continuous advancement is leading us toward our vision of becoming the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.
The PERDUE^® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100^th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. We’ve increased our support for the family farm by creating new markets, including specialty crops. Through agricultural services, we give farmers more options for the acre, including conversion to organic production and products and services that increase the sustainability of conventional agriculture. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.

About the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Founded in 1981, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is the largest organization alleviating hunger in western and central Virginia. Headquartered in Verona, VA, the Food Bank serves 25 counties and eight cities through distribution centers in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Winchester and Verona. The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank distributes nearly 25 million pounds of food annually to 105,100 people each month through a network of 212 community partners – food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, churches and other non-profit groups. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a national food bank association that supports 200 food banks across the United States. For more information, visit www.brafb.org.